242 new jobs created with expansion of Crumlin firm

A CRUMLIN firm is to create 242 new jobs as part of a £15.8 million
expansion.

Randox Laboratories specialises in the development of sophisticated
chemical and biochemical diagnostic tests and devices, primarily targeted at
hospital, clinical and veterinary laboratories and currently employs over
850 people worldwide, including 620 in Crumlin.

The investment is being supported by Invest Northern Ireland which has
offered £2.4 million of assistance. The investment will allow the company to
upgrade its facilities and strengthen its sales, marketing and production
capability. The new jobs will be created across those functions and will
collectively deliver £5.6m annually in salaries.

MD of Randox, Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, said: "We have set ambitious revenue
targets for the next few years which will depend on increasing our sales and
marketing activity and penetrating new markets. We have identified sales
opportunities in the rapidly expanding economies of Brazil, Russia, India
and China and will be targeting these with our extensive portfolio of
products. We also have many new revolutionary products planned for release
in 2011 that will make patient testing faster, simpler and more accurate.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "Randox is one of Northern
Ireland's most successful and respected companies.

"This significant investment will enable the company to increase sales of
its innovative products in
the growing medical diagnostics market, which is a multi-billion pound
industry and one in which Randox continues to excel. Through the new jobs
created, this investment will also benefit the wider local economy, in terms
of salaries and employment opportunities."

MLA Thomas Burns said the expansion was 'a tremendous boost'. "The fact
the majority of the posts will be in the cutting edge category of scientific
research and development as well as sales and marketing is hugely important"
he said. "It further emphasises the importance of the Randox brand in terms
of worldwide recognition. "These are the type of employment opportunities
that other parts of the world would do everything to encourage and protect."

SDLP Lisburn Representative Pat Catney also welcomed the news. "At this
difficult economic time it is heartening to hear of the progress and growth
of local businesses, particularly high value added firms like Randox. I am
delighted to hear that this pioneering and world leading company is
expanding and am hopeful of the employment opportunities it will bring to
people living throughout Lisburn."